Page 53 of The Secret Diary of Anne de Bourgh

I should so like Richard to see it.

13 August

Richard came.

I had almost ceased to hope for him when we heard the carriage yesterday afternoon. I was upstairs with Kitty, who was trying to persuade one of my ribbons to lie as she wished. At the sound of wheels I went to the window, quite forgetting that she still held the other end.

“Anne! Do you wish me to pull it off?”

I apologised, but did not move away until I had seen who was getting out.

I had to remain while she finished, which seemed to take a very long time. Then she shrieked as I was about to hurry out that I could not go downstairs in my evening gown, I must change back to a regular dress, as nobody should see me until the evening. I did not care about that at all, but she was insistent, and I perforce had to give way.

By the time I reached the hall, Richard had gone to his room. Sanderson was making his way up the stairs with some of his things, and Darcy told me that my cousin had arrived in good time to rest before dinner.

“Is he quite well?”

“Quite well, Anne. He has promised not to attempt everything in his first five minutes.”

I could not reasonably object to that, though I wished one of the things he had attempted might have been to see me.

I did not have to wait until the party after all. He came down while Georgiana and I were looking over the flowers in the drawing-room, and wished her a happy birthday.

She turned about with a cry of delight. “You have come!”

“Indeed; you instructed me to do my best, and for once my best has proved sufficient.”

He kissed her cheek, then turned to me.

“How do you do, Annie?”

I had imagined several things I might say when he returned. In the event I could only tell him that I was very glad to see him.

“I am glad to be here.”

“Have you news of Scotland?” I did not like to bring the subject up in a moment of just joy at his arrival, but the matter has been weighing on my mind, and he seemed to understand, for he looked at me kindly and answered at once, telling me that the answer from those attending Lady Catherine had reached Matlock, and that my uncle’s instructions had been understood. James had been informed that he was not to interfere further.

“Is he content with that?” I asked.

“I very much doubt it. But he knows Father’s wishes, and so does everybody else concerned.”

I should have liked to hear more, but Georgiana was beside us, and this was her birthday. I did not want Lady Catherine to occupy any more of it.

Richard seemed to understand. He asked to see the flowers instead, and listened while Georgiana explained which arrangements Kitty had made and which were her own.

I heard none of it, feeling quite limp with relief.

The evening was lovely.

I ought to begin with Georgiana, for it was her celebration, and she looked so happy that I could scarcely remember how anxious she had once been at the prospect of it. She was a little nervous when the first guests arrived, but Elizabeth remained nearby without answering for her, and presently she seemed quite at ease.

Mrs Matthew Thurston spoke to her with particular warmth. They were soon discussing the music, and I saw Georgiana laugh at something she said.

Christopher had arrived on Wednesday as expected. Mary was wearing one of her new gowns, and he looked at her for so long when she came downstairs that she asked whether there was anything wrong with it.

“Quite the opposite,” he assured her.

This compliment turned her a shade of pink I had never seen on her before. She looked very pretty indeed.